Wednesday, August 31, 2011

For the first time in quite a while, I managed to finish a seasonal garment before the season! What a brilliant idea! This year, when fall rolls around I will have one spectacular velvet Lady Grey coat waiting for me. This pattern was surprisingly easy to put together and makes a spectacular coat.

There is a lot of top-stitching on this coat that I think really gives it a quality finished look. Of course there is a lot of pressure with that much top-stitching to be perfectly straight! I used by #10 Bernina edgestitch foot though, so I didn't have much of a problem.

To hem the coat and lining I ended up using bias tape, there was so much flounce to the lining and heft from the velvet of the outer shell that I couldn't get a good hem going. Thank god for the old bias tape method!

Next time I make it I'm going to lengthen the skirt part to just above the knee. I tried a similar style of coat on at Anthropologie last week and really liked the length. Has anyone else made this coat and has pictures they would like to share?

Here we have my beloved Anna Tunic pattern made out of our organic denim and Liberty Olivia Strange. Colette makes a reappearance with her Lady Grey coat made from Anna Maria Horner Bubble velveteen.
My other favorite Anna Maria Horner velvet made in the Uptown Coat.
And finally I made the Colette Ginger skirt out of that crazy Biba-style apparel fabric we have. You can't see the scarf I made from the last bit of feather silk that we had over the summer.

I thought my frantic sewing would be over after the show, but now I want to finish a dress for this weekend (J & I are going to the Pearl Jam festival in Milwaukee) and I have a couple of things in mind for England. I've also secretly resigned myself to these projects not getting done. I think it's better that way!

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Guess who is coming to town? Why, one Mr. Kaffe Fassett! On October 7th he will be speaking at the Nelson, and on October 8th, his right hand man, Brandon Mably is teaching a knitting workshop at The Studio.

Tickets to the lecture at the Nelson are $25, and you can call The Studio to reserve them. 816.561.4466.

Monday, August 29, 2011

A couple of weeks ago I mentioned that tickets are finally on sale for the Haunted Mansion Costume Ball that I am helping with. What I forgot to mention is that I'm working on a vendor market for the Ball! (you know me, if I'm going to be involved, there will be a crafty market!)

Anyway, we are looking for vendors for this market, the event is on October 15th and it's going to be FABULOUS! If you are interested in a booth please email me at betsy@bonbonatelier.com.

If you are not interested in the market, then go buy tickets to come to the ball! And let's get started on some costumes!

J sent me the link to these intricately cut leaves. Can you imagine what kind of amazing motor skills you would need to do this? It's a mind-boggler. Lorenzo Duran is the artist, and although it looks like it should have been laser cut, everything has been done by hand. Amazing.

Friday, August 26, 2011

I had to share this with you; my friend Emily got married last month and made her own, fabulous, dress. This is not out of the ordinary for her, she has always been a sewist and in high school made an awesome embroidered prom dress. She had the advantage of having an amazing seamstress as a mom and learned all the tricks of the trade!

Anyway, isn't it a gorgeous dress? That is the best poofy skirt I've seen in a long time!

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Tonight's the night! I've been working on some new samples for a Shop Westport fashion show, and tonight will be their debut. Everything is set and ready to go. Well, almost everything. In fact, I need to stop blogging and go work on those pants!

Anyway, if you want to come tonight it is at The Beaumont in Westport, and is $7.00 to get in. You get a copy of the new Faction Magazine, there will be a dj, the fashion show and a Westport vendor market!

This could be one of the most gorgeous exhibitions ever created. The 18th Century Back In Fashion exhibit is running through October 9th. It is being shown at the Grand Trianon at Versailles and is full of modern couture inspired by 18th century fashion. Balenciaga, Dior, Vivienne Westwood, Gaultier and so many others will be displayed there.

What a perfect setting to see these extraordinary gowns!

Now the question is if we can fit a jaunt out to Versailles to see this in our very limited time in Paris next month.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

I find myself quite taken by the work from Elly Mackay. The colors are incredibly soothing and gorgeous and the images are whimsical.

She makes them by building layers of the scene inside a tiny theater, and using lighting and tissue paper filters to create ambiance. I think they look magical. No surprise, my favorites are the carnival-type ones, especially the girl on the tiger. There are many more pieces to look at in her Etsy shop, so be sure to stop by and check it out.

Friday, August 19, 2011

I have been on a hunt for more garment fabric. Wools, crepes, silks; you name it I want it. I found this amazing company, Ascher Fabrics when I was knee deep in Wool websites. Ascher has been in business since the 1920's and have made fabric for Lanvin, Givenchy, Cardin and others. I can only imagine the warehouse full of mohairs and tweeds! Here are a couple of images from their Fall Paris portfolio, 1958:But Ascher is not just a fabric manufacturer, they also have spent years bringing together art and textiles and so have an amazing scarf collection. Just gorgeous. With artists like Cecil Beaton, Matisse, Henry Moore and others they collaborated to design limited edition scarves in silk and cashmere. I've put a brief snippet of some of their collections over the year, however a trip to their gallery is definitely worth a visit.
(Speaking of galleries, Ascher has a print archive where over 15,000 print designs from all of their years in business are available to view. By appointment only of course. I would love to be let loose in that archive.)

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

This isn't a wrinkly pile of fabric. Well, it is, but it's not just that. It is a sneak peek of a huge box of vintage fabric that we just got! The fabric is washed, it just needs to be ironed, rolled and tagged and then it's all yours. And there are some good pieces, let me tell you!

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

I'm so excited that tickets are on sale for the Haunted Mansion Costume Ball! I'm helping organize this event, and it's going to be amazing. And yes, I'm already working on my costume. No, I won't tell you what it is! (Yet) Buy tickets here

Monday, August 15, 2011

I was on a super sewing kick this weekend; finished two and 1/2 projects! More clothing for me, of course, with an eye towards a fall wardrobe. Needing a little inspiration I hopped on over to Style.com where I re-looked at the Fall 2011 collections. Here are a few that caught my eye..

Boots, bright dress and a swingy coat? Everything I love in one fell swoop.
I'm in love with sequins lately. Alright, I always love sequins, but especially in this 20's style. Not so much in love with the fur on the bottom though.
Ahh, beautiful jumpsuit! I love it, although I'm about 6 inches too short to pull it off. E could though, she looks fantastic in jumpsuits. Did I mention she got all the height in the family?

This one is a Kelly Wearstler. Love the 30's style and Peter Pan collar.
And now we hit Prada. I loved Prada's collection, although with the exception of the black swing coat above, I couldn't wear a stitch of it. I'm too hippy for drop-waist looks, but I can take inspiration in the fabric choices which are a Mondrian-esque. This is but a few of the delicious pieces from Prada, hop over and look at the coats which are gorgeous. (well, again, except for the fur)
And Marni. Quiet little Marni who always sneaks up on me with the best of fabrics and silhouettes. Normally Marni is mix-match heaven, but this collection was a little more toned down in that respect. They made up for it by bringing together suits and outfits of the most amazing prints. That pink plaid is to die for!